Brent Sutter Resigns: Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish

I don’t want to write much on the subject of Brent Sutter’s resignation. The man has wasted enough of everyone’s time already.

But his decision to step down should come as no surprise to anyone who knows a lick about hockey or human nature. If strength of character is any indication of whether or not a man will honor his contractual obligations, then Sutter gave his plans away months back.

My reaction to his resignation? Bittersweet.

Bitter that someone given the reigns to a squad as honored as the New Jersey Devils should disrespect them in the shameful manner he has.

Sweet due to the fact that the Devils will now have a new coach—one who will dedicate himself to the good of "our" team.

To the apathetic Devil fans ready to comment on how wonderful a job he's done? Tell someone else. This is about Brent's lack of character.

Devil fans should not only be condemning Sutter for his decision to jerk the team around as long as he had, but lambasting him for allowing issues surrounding his being "homesick" to linger on as long as they have.

Who wants a coach who publicly whinges about missing his family when he’s raking in millions per annum?

How can players—some of whom are barely old enough to drink—respect a coach who's nearing 50 years of age and who whines about being homesick, when they themselves miss their families.

My best friend spent 14 months in Iraq, missed the birth of his second daughter as well as his first born son’s first steps, yet never made a peep.

Did he complain or go AWOL?

No he just did his job and honoured the contract he’d signed.

And Sutter?

His response to the indefensible act of quitting, of breaking a contractual agreement he made of his own free will?

"I don't look at it like I am quitting on anything. I threw two years of my life and made a big commitment 3,000 miles away from where my life was and tried to do everything I possibly could to accomplish a goal. So by me doing that my life has suffered in other areas, and those areas to me are bigger than the game."